Team Edo has emerged winner of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, which ended on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Before the final four relay races on the last day, the host state had already secured first place with 52 gold, 34 silver and 25 bronze medals.
Delta State finished second with 39 gold, 29 silver and 35 bronze medals, while defending champions Bayelsa State placed third with 25 gold, 24 silver and 26 bronze medals.
Akwa Ibom State, Abia State, Cross River State, Ondo State, Rivers State and Imo State finished fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
Team Delta dominated the relays, winning three of the four events.
Sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organised by Dunamis Icon Limited, the Games also featured cultural activities.
At a Cultural Expo Night headlined by Okey Bakkassi, Ondo State won the dancing competition and received a ₦1 million prize, which was doubled by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, who attended the event.
Chairman of the Edo State Sports Council, Amadin Enabulele, commended the athletes and praised Monday Okpebholo for supporting the team. He described the victory as a proud moment for the state and credited both the athletes’ efforts and the governor’s backing for the achievement.
